Milestones

DIED With his round face, friendly eyes and messages about friendship, Thomas the Tank Engine quickly became a children's favorite when he debuted on British television in 1984. A creator of the original program, Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, David Mitton wrote or directed 180 episodes and saw the show expand to the U.S., where Ringo Starr (and later, George Carlin) starred as Mr. Conductor. Mitton also worked on the popular series Thunderbirds and started his own children's-television production company. Ever devoted to his craft, Mitton was developing another project, a kids' series called Adventures on Orsum Island, during his...

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